Jack Riewoldt divides opinion but can win a match off his own boot. Picture: Phil HillyardSource: News Limited

OVER the next 18 days SuperFooty and Fox Footy will count down to the 2014 AFL season by taking the blowtorch to every club’s list.

We’ll list every player and rank them into one of five categories: Guns (in the elite of the competition); stars (very good players who aren’t quite superstars); foot soldiers (regulars who get the job done each week); crossroads (fringe players who are playing for their career or are yet to cement a spot in the side); and who knows (too early to make a call).

We’ve added our expert assessment to highlight the players heading up the rankings with a bullet and those who might be on the slide.

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The series kicks off with the Tigers, who have set the bar in 2014 at making finals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1974-75. The Richmond masses will settle for nothing less.

The good news is the list is well placed for a few years in the top half of the ladder.

The Tigers’ best players are still entering their prime and the list has depth with the addition of ready-made back-ups such as Matt Thomas and Todd Banfield.

The aim will be to make the top four, and create a shot at a first premiership since 1980. Could it happen this year?

GUNS

Trent Cotchin

Age: 23. Games: 93. Position: Midfielder.

Captain and the Tigers’ best player. Genius at winning his own footy, glides through traffic and runs all day. Also a model citizen. If there’s a knock on his game it’s that he kicks a lot under pressure and his efficiency suffers as a result, and his scoreboard impact took a dive last year. Back him to return to the top in 2014.

SuperCoach special: Underpriced for a top-liner if can bounce back from a slightly disappointing 2013.

Brett Deledio

Age: 26. Games: 195. Position: Midfielder.

At least the Tigers got one pick right in the 2004 draft, taking Deledio at No.1. Quick and skilful, he often sets the Tigers up from half-back but is most damaging when running through the middle and sending his right-foot bombs towards goal. Consistent and durable, but needs to regularly beat taggers to move into the absolute elite of AFL midfielders.

Dustin Martin

Age: 22. Games: 86. Position: Midfielder.

Form can be up and down (although he improved markedly in this area in 2013) and will have to learn to deal with a hard tag (Zach Tuohy got him in Round 21 last year) but is unstoppable when on song. Has all the tools to be one of the best in the comp.

SuperCoach special: One of the first forwards you should pick. Can produce huge scores on his day.

Dustin Martin in full flight.Source: News Limited

Jack Riewoldt

Age: 25. Games: 134. Position: Key forward.

Has his knockers but goals win games and he has kicked more than any other player in the comp over the past three seasons. Had the third-most goal assists in the AFL last season (something his critics may want to take note of) and was prepared to play as a decoy on occasion to leave Ty Vickery one-out. His enthusiasm grates on some but can also lift his team. Has been earmarked for a true centre half-forward role in 2014.

STARS

Alex Rance

Age: 24. Games: 89. Position: Key defender.

Tiger fans have their hearts in their mouths when Rance runs off his man but he gets it right more often than not. A great intercept mark who has formed a brilliant defensive partnership with Troy Chaplin.

Inspired recruit who held down full-back in his first season after crossing from Port Adelaide. Rarely beaten, provides a calm head in defence and frees up Rance to play a more attacking role.

Ivan Maric

Age: 28. Games: 118. Position: Ruck.

War horse who is more than just a cult figure. A beast at stoppages and his two final-quarter goals in the elimination final showed his willingness to fight to the death, but his body felt the toll of playing a lone hand in the ruck. Will get some much-needed help from Shaun Hampson this season.

FOOT SOLDIERS

Brandon Ellis

Age: 20. Games: 42. Position: Midfielder.

Has spent most of his first two seasons across half-back but expect to see him on a wing this year where he can use his sublime kicking to inflict maximum damage. Collected 39 disposals in a game last year. Won’t be in this category for long.

SuperCoach special: Awkward price and now a midfielder-only but a series of subs vests early last year mean he is seriously underpriced

Nick Vlastuin

Age: 19. Games: 18. Position: Defender.

Outstanding debut season that showcased Vlastuin’s skill, composure and bravery. Excelled across half-back in year one but with his big body we might not have to wait long to see him at centre bounces.

Daniel Jackson

Age: 27. Games: 146. Position: Midfielder.

He thought 2013 would be his final season then got into meditation and won the best-and-fairest. Can play a lock-down role and win his own ball and is surprisingly dangerous up forward, registering 18 goals last year and 20 score assists.

Daniel Jackson celebrates a goal from the boundary line against Hawthorn.Source: News Limited

Shane Edwards.

Age: 25. Games: 129. Position: Forward.

Underrated half-forward who can push into the midfield and win his own footy. Kicking lets him down.

Reece Conca.

Age: 21. Games: 53. Position: Midfielder.

Has flown under the radar since being picked at No. 6 in the 2010 draft but coming along nicely. Serious contender for a breakout season although the bad hamstring injury he suffered in the elimination final loss to Carlton might hold him back.

SuperCoach special: Ticks all the boxes for a breakout season. Watch his pre-season.

Ty Vickery

Age: 23. Games: 75. Position: Forward.

Whipping boy for Tiger fans (and many others) but has progressed steadily since his 2009 debut and ready to make a serious impact. Will be groomed as a key forward with others around to help in the ruck.

Bachar Houli

Age: 25. Games: 91. Position: Defender.

After playing 26 matches in four years at Essendon, Houli has played 65 in three years at Tigerland. Creative and attacking defender who sets up plenty of scores with his deadly left boot. Valuable member of the team.

Shaun Grigg

Age: 25. Games: 109. Position: Midfielder.

His kicking isn’t always pretty but he has a knack for finding space, and the footy. Important link player and a big win for the recruiting department in the swap for Andy Collins.

Chris Newman

Age: 31. Games: 233. Position: Defender.

The oldest player on the Tigers’ list is one of the toughest to assess. He has been a great servant and offers leadership and experience, but the younger talent banging on the door means he’s no longer the certain selection he once was. Could he see the subs vest in 2014?

Definition of ‘foot soldier’. Does his job every week. Attitude makes him a favourite of Tiger fans. Smother specialist.

Dylan Grimes

Age: 22. Games: 26. Position: Defender.

Tigers rate him really highly and when he’s fit, he plays as the third tall defender. Smart player but would be the most under pressure from the queue of key backs if form or injuries strike. Hamstring tightness in pre-season is a worry.

Jake King

Age: 29. Games: 105. Position: Small forward.

His aggro is as important to the team as his forward pressure. Great clubman but will watch who he invites into the rooms in future.

Ricky Petterd

Age: 25. Games: 66. Position: Defender.

Found a home across half-back in his first year at Punt Rd. Was recalled for the finals which shows how much the coaches rate him, but not a lock in the 22.

Aaron Edwards

Age: 30. Games: 91. Position: Forward.

Won the battle with Luke McGuane for the third tall forward spot at the back end of last season and showed his worth with 14 goals in nine games, although a bad miss early in the elimination final will haunt him.

Showed a bit after breaking into the side last year then went down with a shocking knee injury against Port Adelaide. Will have more competition for the high half-forward role this year.

Shaun Hampson

Age: 25. Games: 63. Position: Ruck.

Richmond paid a high price for Hampson, giving up its second pick in the draft to give Ivan Maric a hand at centre bounces. The Tigers have a great recent track record of recycling players and Hampson could demonstrate his value early if he can get his hands on the ball at stoppages and direct it to Cotchin and Co.

Can’t question his will but being dropped for the final against Carlton last year wasn’t a great sign. Will play his fair share of games but younger blokes are starting to overtake him.

Matthew Arnot

Age: 20. Games: 4. Position: Inside midfielder.

Tackling machine showed plenty in his brief run last season. Will push hard in his third year on the list for a spot in the engine room. The Tigers need ball winners and it wouldn’t surprise if he becomes a regular this season.

Brad Helbig

Age: 22. Games: 16. Position: Inside midfielder.

Strong clearance player but behind Arnot in the queue. Played just one senior game last year and six in the past two seasons.

David Astbury

Age: 23. Games: 29. Position: Key defender.

Has battled injuries for his whole career and has struggled to cement a spot, although he did a couple of handy jobs last year including keeping Jack Gunston goalless in Round 19. Handy back-up for Chaplin, Rance and Grimes.

David Astbury calls for the footy in Warrnambool. Picture: Colleen PetchSource: News Limited

Jake Batchelor

Age: 22. Games: 39. Position: Key defender.

Played 16 matches in his debut season but hasn’t matched that since, with just nine senior appearances last year. Can play on talls and smalls and boasts a great left boot but Richmond’s strong key-position stocks are keeping him on the fringe — a problem the club hasn’t had for a long time.

Brett O’Hanlon

Age: 20. Games: 8. Position: Forward.

Showed promise in his debut season in 2012 before an ankle injury hampered him last year. Another option for that high half-forward spot.

Matt Dea

Age: 22. Games: 24. Position: Defender.

Brave and unassuming, Dea is regularly in the best players in the VFL but has struggled to make an impact at the next level.

The only question mark in Richmond’s recent first-round draft picks, the No. 19 selection (2009) arrived as a key forward but was then tried as a key backman. Now hoping to find an opening as a tall goalkicker who can pinch hit in the ruck.

Todd Banfield (rookie)

Age: 23. Games: 53. Position: Forward.

Fell out of favour at Brisbane last year, failing to play a game after managing 53 in his first three seasons. Small forward replaces Robin Nahas on the list as a back-up to Jake King.

Anthony Miles (rookie)

Age: 22. Games: 10. Position: Midfielder.

A proven ball-winner who surprisingly wasn’t given more opportunities at GWS. If he gets a chance he could grab it.

Anthony Miles will be looking to make the most of his second chance. Picture: Colleen PetchSource: News Limited

Orren Stephenson (rookie)

Age: 31. Games: 14. Position: Ruck.

Was called up to relieve a worn-out Ivan Maric for six games last year and is ready again if needed.

Matt Thomas (rookie)

Age: 27. Games: 87. Position: Midfielder.

Arrives at Tigerland after eight seasons on Port’s list. Purely a depth player.

Richmond got its man at the 2013 national draft, nabbing Lennon at pick 12. A damaging mid-size forward who can win his own footy in the midfield, he fits a hole in the Tigers’ line-up and could play straight away. A natural footballer in the mould of Vlastuin and Ellis.

SuperCoach special: Ellis and Vlastuin both played most games in their debut seasons. Lennon could do the same.

Liam McBean

Age: 19. Games: 0. Position: Forward/ruck.

Teenagers that stand 202cm are meant to take a few years to come on but McBean was flying in the VFL in his first season and on the verge of a senior debut when an ankle injury ended his season. Will get chances this year.

Matt McDonough

Age: 20. Games: 1. Position: Forward.

Another medium forward in the mix for a spot in the best 22. Played the role with great success at under-18 level. One to watch.

Richmond has an even spread of talent on its list.Source: FoxSports

Kamdyn McIntosh

Age: 19. Games: 0. Position: Defender.

West Australian taken at pick 31 in the 2012 draft who played half a season in the VFL before going down with a shoulder injury.

Ben Darrou (rookie)

Age: 20. Games: 0. Position: Defender.

Showed at VFL level last year he can find plenty of the ball as a defender but near the back of the queue for a senior call-up.

Nathan Gordon

Age: 24. Games: 2. Position: Forward.

Surprisingly delisted by the Swans at the end of 2012 after being an emergency nine times, but took it on the chin and dominated for North Adelaide in the SANFL. A dangerous goalkicking midfielder, he is likely to get a chance in the pre-season to show what he can do.

SuperCoach special: Definite bench option if he gets a go early. Bargain basement price but unfortunately he is listed as a midfielder, not a forward.

Todd Elton

Age: 20. Games: 1. Position: Key forward.

Was thrown to the wolves in his one senior appearance in 2012 and spent last year developing for Coburg. Still a fair way off.

Sam Lloyd

Age: 24. Games: 0. Position: Forward.

Good old-fashioned footy journeyman who played for Deniliquin, Mt Eliza, Bendigo and Frankston before being drafted last year. Ready-made depth player.

Cadeyn Williams (rookie)

Age: 19. Games: 0. Position: Forward.

Interesting name but can’t tell you much else. Has a history of shoulder problems.

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